Detroit (DTW) to Lexington (LEX): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Lexington (LEX) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 96% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 60% — a 37-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 82% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 82%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 16 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.0%
- Flights/day
- 2.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 20m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 296 mi
Best airline from DTW to LEX
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 87% | 9 min | 0.8% | 660 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 79% | 20 min | 1.2% | 1,076 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to LEX
Aim for departures around 4 p.m. (89% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (65%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 81% | 16 min |
| Tuesday | 85% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 84% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 83% | 15 min |
| Friday | 78% | 20 min |
| Saturdaybest | 85% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 21 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft4%
- Airline operations73%
- National airspace system9%
- Weather15%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to LEX delayed?
- 18% of DTW–LEX flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 16 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to LEX?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 660 flights. 2 airlines flew DTW–LEX frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to LEX?
- Departures around 4 p.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (65%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to LEX?
- The scheduled DTW–LEX flight time averages 1h 20m over 296 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 18% of the time.
- How often are DTW to LEX flights cancelled?
- 1% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to LEX?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 60% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 96%. If your dates are flexible, that 37-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,737 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.